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Discuss the provisions of the merchant shipping act 1958 as regards unseaworthy and unsafe ship’s. What are the provisions of MSA 1958 as regards: 1. Sending an unseaworthy ship to sea and 2. Obligation of owner and master to crew with respect to seaworthiness 3. Explain Certificate … Continue Reading

Not all oil pollution is caused by tankers. However, the huge volume of crude oil transported by sea has created a major problem in disposing of dirty ballast and tank washings without harming the marine environment or damaging coastal … Continue Reading

A vessel constrained by her draught may, in addition to the Iights prescribed for power-driven vessels in Rule 23, exhibitwhere theycan best be seen three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder. … Continue Reading

Purpose Ship’s stability calculations not only rely on the ship’s geometry but also on the knowledge of where the ship’s centre of gravity (G) is positioned. Although the distance of G from the keel can be ascertained for various conditions that the ship may be in, it is essential that it is accurately known … Continue Reading

An instrument for measuring the speed of a ship through water is called a ship's, or maritime, log. The same word is also applied to the daily record of a ship, though it is more properly termed a logbook. History In the years of sailing ships, the Dutchman's log was an early method of calculating ship … Continue Reading

As per Chapter V of SOLAS 74, as amended, a magnetic compass is a compulsory part of the shipborne navigational equipment. This is in addition to the gyro compass & suitably placed repeaters on the ship. This is so primarily because of the reliable dependence one can place on the magnetic compass, as a … Continue Reading

Gyro Compass is a navigational compass containing gyroscope motor that registers the direction of true north along the surface of the earth and it does not depend on magnetism. or A compass with a motorized gyroscope whose angular momemtum interacts with the force produced by the earth's rotation to … Continue Reading

The Coefficient of Form shows the relationship between the actual form of the ship and the dimensions of the ship. Waterplane Area Coefficient (Cw) It is the ratio of the actual area of the waterplane to the product of the length and breadth of the ship. As seen below, the area of the ship’s waterplane … Continue Reading

A barometer is an instrument for measuring the pressure of the air, due to the weight of the column of air above it. As the earth’s atmosphere gets thinner with increasing height, it follows that as we ascend from sea level and low-lying parts of the earth’s surface, the weight of the air will decrease. That … Continue Reading

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) UNCLOS lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world's oceans and seas. The 1982 convention was signed by 117 states and it establishes rules governing all uses of the ocean and its resources. The convention also provides the … Continue Reading

It is a given fact that invariably pilotage is compulsory and the majority of accidents occurring during berthing occur with a pilot on the bridge. No berthing guide would be complete without reference to the master-pilot relationship. Pilotage Why are Pilots engaged? For their expertise in … Continue Reading

Purpose Vessel Traffic Service or VTS is a shore-based system implemented by a competent authority to: Improve the safety and efficiency of navigation, Safety of life at sea, and Protection of the marine environment. VTS is governed by SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 12 together with the guidelines … Continue Reading

The persons who have secreted or otherwise smuggled themselves onboard a vessel or in cargo despite the best efforts of the ship to prevent such persons from coming onboard are known as Stowaways. Stowaway person is detected after the ship has departed from a port and reported as a stowaway by the master to … Continue Reading